Positive Response to Arts North West Panorama Project

The phrase ‘Alone together’ is about to take a creative twist as hundreds regional residents are about to receive their sketchbooks for the Arts North West Panorama Project.

These small books have been posted out to artists, writers and keen participants across the New England North West to keep and fill for the next two months before they all come together for a travelling exhibition beginning in late 2020.

“It’s a way for creative people to document their lives and experience living through this extraordinary time in history,” project coordinator Michèle Jedlicka said.

“People might express how they’ve coped through this COVID-19 crisis, whether it’s been positive or challenging, or they may want to use their books as an extension of their ongoing work, their culture, or thoughts. There is no limit to what they do with their books.”

Arts North West expects to collect the sketchbooks from 1 August and from there, up to 1000 of the little books will travel across regional libraries for people to browse. All books will be returned to their owners after the exhibition.

Sketchbooks have now been sent to individuals who have registered through the Arts North West site, and disability and aged care support services.

“We are delighted by the positive response from our region, and we have had registrations from all our LGAs,” Arts North West executive director Caroline Downer said.

“We are looking forward to seeing all the creative responses.”

Panorama Project sketchbooks are still available through the Arts North West site at artsnw.com.au or phone 6732 4988. Eligibility is for residents aged 16 and older and living in one of the 12 council areas supported by Arts North West.

For more information, contact office@artsnw.com.au.

Photo: Arts North West Executive Director Caroline Downer sends out Panorama Project sketchbooks.

Arts North West Covid-19 Update

Hello all,

I’m sure you are all being inundated with information about Covid-19 (Coronavirus) and its impact on our sector. 

It has been a particularly difficult time – from drought to bushfire and now to a global pandemic. All of these have had a huge effect on our creative industries.
 
Event Cancellation
While the current requirement is to cancel all events that have an audience of 500 and above, many of our venues and organisations may not reach that audience figure but are still understandably anxious. Resourcing and growing community anxiety will also affect ticket sales and we recognise that organisations and individuals will need to take this into consideration in their planning.
 
If you are in a position to not require a refund for an event, festival, workshop or class that may be cancelled or postponed due to Covid-19 then please consider the ticket you purchased as a donation to the artist, organisation or community. Check out this article from Cut Common Magazine

Advocacy
Regional Arts Australia has also been working with national organisations and Ministers to facilitate a coordinated impact assessment and industry response. A number of surveys have been developed so that a clear picture can be formed as to the impact of Covid-19 on our sector. Please help the advocacy work by filling these out – PAC Australia survey or the National Association of Visual Artists survey. You are also able to submit information to the #Ilostmygig database.
 
Health and Wellbeing
We are not in a position to provide health advice.  Common sense reminds us to wash our hands, cough into elbows and stay at home if we are unwell.  Please be guided by the following sites that are updated daily:

Australian Government Department of Health

NSW Department of Health

Having said that, hand washing is obviously a crucial requirement.  But… really… handwashing to “Happy Birthday” twice, seems a little prosaic.  Send in your best version of a funky tune/song/poem/ and we will put it up on our social media… let’s keep our creative juices flowing!  (Have a look at TwoSetViolin’s ideas!) Email to media@artsnw.com.au
 
We are also very aware of the wellbeing of our communities.  With events cancelled, and social distancing in place, we hope that we can still look after each other as best we can. An arts-focused wellbeing helpline is available at Support Act. 
 
Resources

Some more practical information here: 
A policy that could be implemented for your workplace from the Institute of Community Directors.
World Health Organisation - Getting your workplace ready
Further info from the World Health Organisation
COVID-19 Arts Organisations’ Plans from Theatre Network Australia
Resources from The Australia Council for the Arts

Stay safe and well, look after each other and support family, friends and our wonderful creative community.  Let’s work together.

Board and Staff of Arts North West

Enabling Community Creativity: A Regional Disability Resource Launch

Arts North West and Accessible Arts NSW will be celebrating the launch of Enabling Community Creativity: A Regional Disability Resource at the Civic Centre Gunnedah on22 May 2017.

Enabling Community Creativity: A Regional Disability Resource Manual is the direct result of The Heading West Project, a strategic two year partnership between Arts North West, Arts Northern Rivers (regional arts development organisations) and Accessible Arts NSW.  This resource manual is a how-to-guide to deliver arts and disability projects and events in regional Australia including project development, marketing, and accessibility plans. It comprises step-by-step processes, templates, resources as well as a number of case studies to assist organisations and individuals to develop their own arts and disability events in their communities.

Everyone is invited to come along, participate in an inclusive art activity, and create a nature photo print and frame. All materials and morning tea provided.

WHEN:
11:00am - 1pm Monday 22 May 2017

WHERE:
Creative Arts Centre, 81 Chandos Street, Gunnedah.

The Creative Arts Centre is an accessible venue.

COST:
Free

Further enquiries, please contact Arts North West via email office@artsnw.com.au, phone 67324988 or visit the website www.artsnw.com.au for more information.

Job Opportunity Moree

Do you love children, art and have a creative approach to teaching? Are you looking for a rewarding role with flexible hours and lots of fun? Are you Moree Plains Gallery’s next Education Officer?!

Moree Plains Gallery is seeking a part-time Education Officer to fill a two year contract. Experience in Education and delivery of creative programs essential. For an information pack please call Vivien Clyne on (02) 6757 3320. Applications close 14 April 2017.

Click here to download Information for Applicants

Regional Arts Fund is Open

The New England North West is a dynamic and creative place to live and work.  Do you have an exciting project that will further contribute to arts and cultural activity in our community? Arts North West is looking for innovative and great projects that will thrill our community!

The Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund supports sustainable cultural development in regional and remote Australia and meets the strategic priorities of supporting participation in, and access to, the arts and encouraging greater private sector support for the arts. The Regional Arts Fund is designed to benefit regional and remote arts practitioners, arts workers, audiences and communities.

WHAT'S NEW FOR RAF?

Opening dates and closing dates have been moved forward in the year.
 
RAF applications will only be accepted through the Regional Arts Australia secure online grants system, SmartyGrants.
 
Guidelines have been reviewed and simplified.
 
There is a NEW category Small Regional Festival Support.
 
The Residencies and Mentorships category is no longer available.
 
Multi-year funding is only available for two years and projects must be discussed with RANSW staff before applying.
 
You will need to respond to a number of Australian Government questions for statistical collection that are common to all arts grants applicants administered by the Department of Communications and the Arts.

DO NOT FORGET to read the RAF Guidelines carefully and before you submit discuss your project with Caroline Downer, Executive Director of Arts North West on 0428 042 622. Caroline will be able to explain the new process for RAF.

KEY DATES
Applications open: Monday 20 June.
Applications close: 3:00pm AEST Monday 8 August.
No extension to the closing date is possible.